I barley got through 3 minutes of watching that Drew League crap. That was not basketball, I have seen better energy and intensity in a 40 plus men's league. Playing ball like that does improve your game at all, it just reinforces bad habits and gives a player a false sense of ability. Putting uniforms on these guys and calling it a league is a scam, they may as well have been going shirts and skins.

I barley got through 3 minutes of watching that Drew League crap. That was not basketball, I have seen better energy and intensity in a 40 plus men's league. Putting uniforms on these guys and calling it a league is a scam, they may as well have been going shirts and skins.

I think you miss the point of the Drew League.
"The Drew League's goal was to help young people form meaningful relationships on the court that would spill over into the neighborhood, as well as build an institution that would bring top local high school, college, and pro players back to the community. -DrewLeague.com"

It's sole purpose is to entertain a crowd and bring people together in a positive, light-hearted environment.

Not sure if you're aware, but South Central LA is a pretty rough area.
Anything that offers these kids a sense of community and a 'way out'; or a GLIMPSE of it anyway, is a good thing in my books.

While I agree that you will not find alot of "Fundamentals" in these games; I think its great for Young, Inner-City kids to get a look at some VERY good ball players, who happened to come out of the same tough circumstanced that they did.

Not to mention, these games are great for Cardio/Endurance training.

WJF wrote:

Playing ball like that does [not] improve your game at all, it just reinforces bad habits and gives a player a false sense of ability.

Slightly Disagree.
If you're hittin open Jumpers all day at Drew League, I don't see how this doesn't offer some translation to NBA.
Hitting an open Jumper is hitting an open Jumper, is hitting an open Jumper. Whether you do it in Practice, in a Game, or in a Pick-Up game.
Nailing a tough, contested Lay-up is still nailing a tough, contested lay-up.
Yes, the level of defense is different, but one could argue the level of defense is different even at Practice. It's all about how seriously YOU take the game with which you are playing in. Demar seems to take it seriously, and uses it as a time to brush up on his Jumper. Not a bad idea. Rather him hit jumpers against these guys, then by himself in the gym somewhere.

Last edited by Joey; Mon Aug 20th, 2012 at 05:30 PM.

"That was Nasty right? Cocked that Joint back and banged on 'em." -James Johnson

I think you miss the point of the Drew League.
"The Drew League's goal was to help young people form meaningful relationships on the court that would spill over into the neighborhood, as well as build an institution that would bring top local high school, college, and pro players back to the community. -DrewLeague.com"

It's sole purpose is to entertain a crowd and bring people together in a positive, light-hearted environment.

Not sure if you're aware, but South Central LA is a pretty rough area.
Anything that offers these kids a sense of community and a 'way out'; or a GLIMPSE of it anyway, is a good thing in my books.

While I agree that you will not find alot of "Fundamentals" in these games; I think its great for Young, Inner-City kids to get a look at some VERY good ball players, who happened to come out of the same tough circumstanced that they did.

Not to mention, these games are great for Cardio/Endurance training.

Slightly Disagree.
If you're hittin open Jumpers all day at Drew League, I don't see how this doesn't offer some translation to NBA.
Hitting an open Jumper is hitting an open Jumper, is hitting an open Jumper. Whether you do it in Practice, in a Game, or in a Pick-Up game.
Nailing a tough, contested Lay-up is still nailing a tough, contested lay-up.
Yes, the level of defense is different, but one could argue the level of defense is different even at Practice. It's all about how seriously YOU take the game with which you are playing in. Demar seems to take it seriously, and uses it as a time to brush up on his Jumper. Not a bad idea. Rather him hit jumpers against these guys, then by himself in the gym somewhere.

+1

Let's also not take away the fact that Demar individually actually spent much time working on his game. Playing/practicing and earning experience on the USA Select Team, rumour is being the top scorer. Working out as well in Italy, Las Vegas, and LA.

Drew League for Demar could build confidence, and brush any rust off for him, because players do tend to come into training camp not holding a basketball for a couple weeks. I've never been against Drew League, he's participated in it every year he's been in the league, and has improved a part of his game every single year. Not to say Drew League was the reason, also not to say it wasn't.

Demar is still very raw, and came into the league with sub-par skill and very good athleticism. He's got A LOT of growing room left.

I barley got through 3 minutes of watching that Drew League crap. That was not basketball, I have seen better energy and intensity in a 40 plus men's league. Playing ball like that does improve your game at all, it just reinforces bad habits and gives a player a false sense of ability. Putting uniforms on these guys and calling it a league is a scam, they may as well have been going shirts and skins.

joey_hesketh wrote:

I think you miss the point of the Drew League.
"The Drew League's goal was to help young people form meaningful relationships on the court that would spill over into the neighborhood, as well as build an institution that would bring top local high school, college, and pro players back to the community. -DrewLeague.com"

It's sole purpose is to entertain a crowd and bring people together in a positive, light-hearted environment.

Not sure if you're aware, but South Central LA is a pretty rough area.
Anything that offers these kids a sense of community and a 'way out'; or a GLIMPSE of it anyway, is a good thing in my books.

While I agree that you will not find alot of "Fundamentals" in these games; I think its great for Young, Inner-City kids to get a look at some VERY good ball players, who happened to come out of the same tough circumstanced that they did.

Not to mention, these games are great for Cardio/Endurance training.

Slightly Disagree.
If you're hittin open Jumpers all day at Drew League, I don't see how this doesn't offer some translation to NBA.
Hitting an open Jumper is hitting an open Jumper, is hitting an open Jumper. Whether you do it in Practice, in a Game, or in a Pick-Up game.
Nailing a tough, contested Lay-up is still nailing a tough, contested lay-up.
Yes, the level of defense is different, but one could argue the level of defense is different even at Practice. It's all about how seriously YOU take the game with which you are playing in. Demar seems to take it seriously, and uses it as a time to brush up on his Jumper. Not a bad idea. Rather him hit jumpers against these guys, then by himself in the gym somewhere.

Thanks for that Joey. Wasn't aware of the history of the league and its purpose.

With that said though, I have to agree with WJF on the qualify of the play I turned it off around the 3 minute mark as well..... but to each their own.

Thanks for that Joey. Wasn't aware of the history of the league and its purpose.

With that said though, I have to agree with WJF on the qualify of the play I turned it off around the 3 minute mark as well..... but to each their own.

Oh, I hardly watched any of it either. :P Thats not the point Matt. Haha

The point is, is that this League isn't supposed to be High Competition, In-your-face Defense, Super Intense etc.
That sort of thing gets people killed round those parts!

Its supposed to be fun, up and down, strut-your-stuff BBall.
You can't expect NBA-level Defense when half the guys playing in it, aren't NBA-Level.

And while its not my favourite style of basketball to watch, I'll support it for what it stands for and what it means to the community. Who knows, maybe Demar and BJennings wouldn't be in the NBA today if it weren't for Drew League.

"That was Nasty right? Cocked that Joint back and banged on 'em." -James Johnson

Obviously summer league games aren’t the best way to analyze a player and his true abilities but you can still get a feel of a player and what they are capable of doing. Check out NBA rising star DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors showing off his improved game during the LA Drew League semi-finals and championship games. DeMar seems to have tightened up his handle a bit and worked on his shot.

DeMar DeRozan Shows His Improved Game During LA Drew League Semi's & Finals!

I know it's just the LA Drew League, but I do see some sort of improvement in his game. There seems to be more consistency in his three point shot. One more thing that I found funny, at 0:36, did he just attempt the infamous Dirk fadeaway with the leg out?

thanks for this update! He looks much more solid, and i'm glad he's been working on his jump shot. I still have hope for Demar and I love that he's a gym rat. only good things can come when Kobe is your idol and mentor.